A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1300: You Little Menace

Following that, Archer let the brown-skinned beauty down, and she started leading him toward a trail while explaining. ''There's not much that can damage us but can hurt the Coyan peoples, which I don't want to happen.''

''Okay, do you want me to thin out the horde? I could add them to my monster army,'' he offered with a charming smile.

Sera stopped walking with wide eyes before giggling. ''Yes, that would be good. I forgot you could do that.''

Archer summoned thousands of Shadow Creatures before ordering. ''Capture any monster you come across and drag them into the realm, but make sure you leave some to reproduce. I'll put them in the Domain once I'm done here.''

The army of monsters nodded and vanished into the surrounding jungle, causing Sera to ask in a curious voice. ''These shadows give me the creeps, husband. They just pop out of nowhere. Some girls are terrified of them whenever the things appear.''

''Who?'' he questioned with a chuckle.

''Halime, Llyniel, and Eveline,'' Sera answered as roars and screeches echoed across the jungle.

Archer felt the Shadow Realm being filled up with all kinds of monsters, which put a smile on his face. Following that, they came to a trail that led toward the sheer face of a mountain with a path carved into it that led to the cloud-covered peak.

''This will lead us to the first border town of the Coya Empire named Puyu Urqu,'' she revealed with a smile. ''It means village in the mountains that is one of three ways into my homeland.''

''So it's a secluded realm?'' he questioned when spotting people traveling down the trail that was carved into the mountain.

Sera nodded with a smile. ''Yes, you see, this part of Avidia is a hidden region full of jungles, swamps, plateaus, and mountain ranges. My father conquered it years before I was born, but the empire stretches to the demons in the north.''

Following that, the duo started traveling up the trail and appeared on top of the cliff after ten minutes of walking. Archer turned around only to see a sea of teas stretching out in all directions.

''Come on handsome,'' Sera commented while grabbing his hand. ''The town isn't far away and I want to see what it's like after all these years.''

They pressed forward until the sudden whistle of arrows sliced through the air. A swarm of bandits emerged from the underbrush, their weapons raised with cruel intent. Without hesitation, they loosed a volley of arrows straight at them.

Archer reacted instantly. He grabbed her, his wings wrapping around them like an unbreakable shield. The arrows struck, but bounced harmlessly off the gleaming scales, clattering to the ground.

With a sharp exhale, he extended his hand, summoning three Oathkeepers. The warriors materialized. In a blur of motion, they descended upon the outlaws, cutting through them with effortless precision. Within moments, the battlefield fell silent.

The only sound remaining was the shifting wind carrying away the last traces of their enemies. Sera glanced around, her sharp eyes scanning the aftermath. A frown creased her lips as she turned to Archer.

''Why are there bandits here?'' she murmured, a rare hint of concern in her voice. ''Has the empire fallen?''

He dismissed the Oathkeepers back to the Domain before answering. ''It's a border town. They might have been waiting for travelers to ambush them.''

Following that, the two continued through the jungle after throwing the bodies into the Nightmare Ant Colony. They were trekking until a small group of Coyan warriors appeared on the trail.

They came to a halt as the commander stepped forward and spoke in an exotic accent with a wary expression as the others spread out around them, which alerted him to their actions. ''What brings you to Puyu Urqu?'' he asked.

''Monster hunting,'' Archer answered while dismissing his wings. ''We're chasing a group of Forest Men in the north that fled into the jungle and an adventurer said we should check out the Coya Empire for monsters.''

The older man nodded before giving them a warning. ''Be careful while traveling through the empire. We're having a bandit and monster issue at the moment which the emperor is struggling to get under control.''

''What happened to the imperial army? How come they haven't dealt with it like they used to?'' Sera questioned with a curious expression.

When the Coyan commander heard this, he sighed before answering. ''The Desert Savages are raiding our north-western border, which is stretching our soldiers thin.''

''Those monsters are attacking again?'' Sera murmured in surprise, her brow furrowing. ''I thought they were defeated a decade ago by the previous emperor.''

The guard standing before them gave a solemn nod, his expression grim. ''You're right, but they reappeared last year,'' he explained. ''They already destroyed several western towns, but we halted their advance when they tried to siege the cities.''

With a practiced motion, he stepped aside, waving them down the trail. ''Stay alert. The roads aren't as safe as they used to be.''

Archer and Sera exchanged a brief nod after hearing the commander's warning and thanked the man before pressing forward until they approached the town. Built into the side of a towering cliff, its stone structures blended seamlessly with the rock face.

As they moved through the outskirts, his keen eyes immediately took in the landscape beyond. The dense jungle stretched endlessly, its emerald canopy teeming with life that his Shadow Creatures were kidnapping.

This section was far larger than the one they had passed earlier, its towering trees and thick foliage hinting at untamed wilderness. While staring at this, Sera commented with a smile. ''I used to explore this place as a child. I remember when my siblings and I would play games.''

''I'm glad you still have fond memories of this place,'' he replied before they approached the town entrance.

The soldiers allowed them to pass, but Archer couldn't ignore the way their eyes lingered on Sera for just a little too long as other people were pointing at them with shocked expressions which put him on edge.

A nagging suspicion crept in as he turned to her and asked while pulling her close, ''After all this time… do you think they'd still recognize you?''

Before Sera could respond, a shrill voice cut through the air. ''Is that Aylla Coya?! The Lost Princess has finally returned, just as the Emperor foretold!"

In an instant, the entire town erupted into a frenzy of cheers and celebration as they closed in on them. The sheer intensity of it overwhelmed Sera, and before she could stop herself, she transformed into her tiny Fairy Dragon form.

With a panicked flutter and wide eyes, she darted into Archer's shirt for safety, her voice echoing in his mind. ''Please, my love… get me out of here!''

Archer didn't hesitate and let out a menacing growl that stopped the people moving as his sharp eyes flicked to the cliff's edge on his right. Without a second thought, he Blinked toward it and leaped into the open sky.

Gasps and shouts of shock followed him until his wings appeared and he started soaring above them. Following that, Sera's little head popped out of his shirt while speaking in a soft voice. ''Head north and you'll see a glowing waterfall land there, my love.''

Half an hour later, Archer finally spotted the perfect landing spot, a secluded ledge high above the dense jungle below. Within seconds, he touched down and heard the rustling of leaves far below.

'Seems like even more monsters are down there,' he thought as the Shadow Creatures were still kidnapping them.

Moments later, he gently pulled the tiny dragon out, cradling her in his arms with a smirk. ''I love it when you're like this,'' he murmured, his voice full of affection. ''It means I can spoil you even more.''

Sera let out a series of soft, melodic chirps as he ran his fingers along her shimmering red scales, her small body rolling around in his embrace while enjoying the pampering he was lavishing her with.

But in a sudden burst of playful energy, she leaped onto his shoulder and latched onto his pointed ears, nipping at them just like she had when they first met. Archer ignored it for a second while leaning back against the rocky ledge, stretching his legs out as he got comfortable.

The cool night breeze brushed against his skin, but all he could focus on was the tiny, playful menace perched on his shoulder. Sera chirped mischievously before launching another attack, nipping at his ears and tickling his neck with her soft wings.

Archer let out a deep chuckle, tilting his head as she playfully bit at his earlobe. ''Alright, alright, you little menace,'' he laughed, reaching up to gently scratch under her chin. ''You love tormenting me, don't you?''

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